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December is National Safe Toys and Gifts Month, and **Dr. Adam Keating**, a pediatrician at the Cleveland Clinic, is offering advice on toy safety for young children. According to Dr. Keating, toys that can fit through a toilet paper roll pose a choking hazard for children under three. He also warns against toys with magnets or button batteries, as they can be swallowed by children. Toys with sharp edges and vintage toys containing lead paint should be avoided as well.
Dr. Keating emphasizes the importance of safety equipment for toys with wheels, such as electric scooters. He advises parents to purchase helmets along with these toys to protect children from potential head injuries. "I tell my patients that I don’t make the rules in your house, but in my house, people didn't end up on things with wheels without a helmet," he explained.
Last year, over 155,000 children under 12 were treated in emergency rooms for toy-related injuries. Parents can check the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s website for information on toy recalls and safety.